We say together the words printed in bold.
Grace, mercy and peace
from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ
be with you
Alland with thy spirit.
See what love the Father has given
us,
that we should be called the children of
God.
You are my sons and daughters,
this day I have begotten you.
See what love the Father has given
us.
As many as received him,
to them he gave power to become the children of God.
See what love the Father has given
us.
Glory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit.
See what love the Father has given
us,
that we should be called the children of God.
cf 1 John 3.1
God spoke these words and said: I am the
Lord your God
you shall have no other gods but me.
You shall not make for yourself any idol,
whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above,
or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under
the earth.
You shall not bow down to them or worship them.
You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
Remember the Sabbath day, and keep it holy.
For six days you shall labour and do all your work.
But the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God.
AllLord, have mercy upon
us,
and incline our hearts to keep this
law.
Honour your father and your mother
You shall not murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness.
You shall not covet.
AllLord, have mercy upon
us,
and write all these your laws in our
hearts.
Silence is kept
Let us return to the Lord our God and say
to him:
AllFather,
we have sinned against heaven and against you.
We are not worthy to be called your children.
We turn to you again.
Have mercy on us,
bring us back to yourself
as those who once were dead
but now have life through Christ our Lord. Amen.
cf Luke 15
May the God of love
bring us back to
himself,
forgive us our sins,
and assure us of his eternal
love
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
AllAmen.
At the end the reader may say
This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
The Apostles' Creed or an authorized Affirmation of Faith is said.
Let us declare our faith in God.
All We believe in God
the Father,
from whom every family
in heaven and on earth is named.
We believe in God the Son,
who lives in our hearts through faith,
and fills us with his love.
We believe in God the Holy
Spirit,
who strengthens us
with power from on high.
We believe in one God;
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Amen.
cf Ephesians 3
Jesus taught us to call God our
Father,
so in faith and trust we pray:
AllOur Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.
[Let us pray to God, our heavenly
Father.
Father of all
hear your children's prayer.]
Sovereign Lord,
your Son has revealed you as our heavenly Father,
from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named.
Father of all
hear your children's prayer.
You have made your Church a spiritual
family,
a household of faith.
Through baptism we are reborn as the brothers and
sisters of Christ.
Deepen our unity and fellowship in him.
Father of all
hear your children's prayer.
You sent your Son to give his life
as a ransom for the whole human family.
Give justice, peace and racial harmony to the
world he died to save.
Father of all
hear your children's prayer.
You gave your Son a share in the life of
a
family in Nazareth.
Help us to value our families, to be thankful for them,
and to live sensitively within them.
Father of all
hear your children's prayer.
Your Son drew around him a company of
friends.
Bring love and joy to all who are alone.
Help us all to find in the brothers and sisters of Christ
a loving family.
Father of all
hear your children's prayer.
You are the God of the dead as well as of
the living.
In confidence we remember those of the household of
faith who have gone before
us.
Bring us with them to the joy of your home in heaven.
Father of all
hear your children's prayer.
This or some other prayer of thanksgiving may be used
Blessed are you Lord our God,
creator and redeemer of all;
to you be glory and praise for ever.
All[Blessed be God for ever.]
You father us from all eternity giving life
to creation
and pouring your love into all you have made.
All[Blessed be God for ever.]
From the beginning we have known you as
'Father',
and all our families have their origin in you.
All[Blessed be God for ever.]
Through the love of earthly fathers you
give us a glimpse
of your everlasting love.
Their guidance and wisdom reveal to us the eternal life of
heaven.
All[Blessed be God for ever.]
In following their example we become more
like you,
growing into the people your heart longs for us to be.
All[Blessed be God for ever.]
May the love of our fathers draw us ever
nearer to you
and perfect in us the image of your Son Jesus Christ our
Lord.
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
AllBlessed be God for ever.
Heavenly Father,
you entrusted your Son Jesus,
the child of Mary,
to the care of Joseph, an earthly father.
Bless all fathers
as they care for their families.
Give them strength and wisdom,
tenderness and patience;
support them in the work they have to do,
protecting those who look to them,
as we look to you for love and salvation,
through Jesus Christ our rock and defender.
AllAmen.
In darkness and in light,
in trouble and in joy,
help us, heavenly Father,
to trust your love,
to serve your purpose,
and to praise your name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The Lord God almighty is our Father:
Allhe loves us and tenderly
cares for us.
The Lord Jesus Christ is our Saviour:
Allhe has redeemed us and
will defend us to the end.
The Lord, the Holy Spirit is among
us:
Allhe will lead us in God's
holy way.
To God almighty, Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit,
Allbe praise and glory
today and for ever. Amen.
Closing Prayer (General, Morning, Lament) © Joint Liturgical Group 1968
Absolution (General) © Stuart Thomas
Blessing or other Ending (For a Memorial Service) © Trevor Lloyd
© The Archbishops' Council of the Church of England, 2000-2004